Living

Heart failure is a condition that most have probably heard of at some point in their life, mainly because it is a very common health issue. In fact, there are...

Editor's note: This is part 1 of a series. Be sure to check out part 2! My life constantly feels like a well-scripted story full of dramatic twists that often...

The Managing Treatment and Medication Survey is now closed. Thank you for your interest! Treatment is a big part of managing a chronic (long-term) health condition like heart failure. Often...

I recently went through training at work and the guest speaker was a psychologist who specialized in working with corporate teams. He led us through an exercise to manage our...

Having heart failure comes with its own unique set of limitations. While we all experience heart failure and its symptoms a bit differently, there are times where we just can’t...

One of the things I hate the most about going to a new doctor is filling out the family medical history form. Admittedly, I used to think that this was...

This is a lesson I have learned along the way, and I hope to pass it on to others. I am lucky to have people like my parents, uncles, aunties...

Once I said that although I wanted to give up, there was something in me telling me to keep pushing. I went home after a doctor's visit and went straight...

For many of us women, the diagnosis of heart failure has impacted our ability to have carry and/or have biological children. From personal experience I understand; this is heart-wrenching. I...

A heart failure diagnosis brings many changes. Every aspect of life goes through reorganization. Many things are no longer feasible. While it is important to live in the here and...

Traveling is one thing that we all do. Sometimes it’s a short trip, other times we do long-distance travel. There are different things you can do to keep yourself safe...

My biggest fear following my heart failure diagnosis was running out of time. Time is something that cannot get back, and I hadn’t lived my life to the fullest. My...

I have become much better acquainted with the grieving process since being diagnosed with heart failure. The symptoms of heart failure carry a very high burden for yourself and your...

People enjoy music because of how it makes them feel. Maybe it reminds them of a situation/event, brings about a sense of nostalgia, or just captures a raw emotion to...

Chronic illnesses can affect relationships and friendships significantly. As a result, many patients with one form of chronic disease, or another, encounter social problems regularly. The demands imposed on friends...

"Live in the now" seems like a faraway notion once you've received a life-changing medical diagnosis. This is especially true when it is a condition that forces you to face...

One thing you have heard people talk about is an LVAD or left ventricular assist device. It is exactly what it sounds like as it assists the left ventricle in...

This is not the 'sexiest' of all topics; however, I have personally experienced that constipation can adversely impact one's quality of life. So what can cause constipation, and why do...

When I think about support, I picture someone's arms under another person holding them up. I looked up the definition and it reads: bear all or part of the weight...

An unexpected medical emergency can land you in the back of an ambulance, emergency room, or once again in a hospital.  Sometimes it’s no big deal, while other times it...